# Whippet

Also known as: English Whippet, Snap Dog, Poor Man's Racehorse
- **Group:** Sighthound (FCI group 10)
- **Size:** Medium
- **Origin:** England
- **Height:** 44–51 cm
- **Weight:** 9–19 kg
- **Life expectancy:** 12–15 years
- **Temperament:** Gentle, Affectionate, Calm, Sensitive, Playful
- **FCI standard:** No. 162

The Whippet is a sleek, medium-sized sighthound, a miniature racer that sprints at high speed outdoors and turns into a quiet, gentle couch companion at home.

## Overview

The Whippet is a graceful British sighthound that looks like a smaller Greyhound. It is the fastest dog of its size, yet it is famously calm and gentle indoors.

It suits owners who can offer short bursts of safe, fenced running and plenty of warm, soft places to rest.

## History

Small greyhound-type dogs were kept for hunting rabbits and other game in England for centuries. In Victorian times, mill and mining communities in the north developed the modern Whippet for rabbit catching and straight racing, earning it the nickname of the poor man's racehorse.

The Kennel Club recognised the breed in 1891, and the American Kennel Club had done so a few years earlier, in 1888. Whippets have since won top honours at both Westminster and Crufts.

## Appearance

The Whippet has a deep chest, narrow waist, long slender legs and a muscular, streamlined body built for speed. Ideal height is about 44 to 47 cm for females and 47 to 51 cm for males, with slightly larger sizes allowed in some standards.

The short, fine coat lies close to the body and comes in almost any colour or pattern. With little body fat and no undercoat, the breed feels the cold keenly.

## Temperament

Whippets are quiet, affectionate and sensitive dogs that bond closely with their family. Indoors they are relaxed and tidy, often happily sleeping for much of the day.

Outdoors they come alive and may chase anything small that moves, so they need careful supervision off lead. They are generally good with children and other dogs, can be shy with strangers, and may struggle with long periods alone.

## Care and exercise

Whippets need a daily walk plus a chance to sprint in a secure area. They are not suited to long, repetitive exercise but enjoy lure coursing, racing and agility.

Grooming is minimal, just a quick rub-down now and then. A coat or jumper in cold or wet weather is a sensible addition, and soft bedding is important for their thin skin.

## Health

Whippets are a generally healthy, athletic breed with few hereditary problems. Thin skin can tear easily, and they are sensitive to cold and to some anaesthetics. Regular dental care is recommended.

## Ratings (1 to 5)

- Energy: 3
- Exercise needs: 3
- Grooming: 1
- Shedding: 2
- Trainability: 3
- Barking: 1
- Good with children: 4
- Good with other dogs: 4

Page: https://techtools.cz/tools/dog-atlas/whippet
Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whippet · https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q39122
Photo: Canarian (CC BY-SA 4.0), https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Whippet_2018_6.jpg
Profile written by an AI model from the sources above.